Jim Bizer – October 26, 2024

Gigging since age 14 and a career musician all of his adult life, Jim’s been around the musical block. He’s an accomplished musician, with a comfortable, deep groove and a restless imagination. His songs are a unique blend of humor, catchy melodies, and his own personal view of the essential craziness of being human.

Growing up in Detroit, Jim was exposed to (and fascinated by) a widely varied spectrum of music. Educated on French horn, self-taught on guitar and piano, he studied music theory at the University of Michigan before embarking on an equally varied music career:­ “cover” musician, session player, composer for radio spots and a weekly television series. A songwriter since his early teens, it took some time before Jim made this his primary focus – once he did, his songs quickly earned accolades: he’s been a winner or finalist in numerous national songwriting competitions.

Jim recently released his third album, About Time.

In addition to his solo career, Jim creates and performs with his longtime friend and collaborator, Jan Krist. Together, they have produced two recordings: “Influence” and “Too”. Both Jim & Jan are part of The Yellow Room Gang, a songwriters’ collective featuring several well-known Michigan performers. Four Yellow Room Gang CDs, with songs from all the members, are now available.

And he doesn’t stop there – Jim, Jan and Jan’s husband Alan have joined forces with the popular roots duo Annie & Rod Capps to form the powerhouse band Diamonds in the Rust. Jim is also a pivotal member of the rollicking folk/roots-rock/slightly bluegrassy/party gospel band Floyd King & the Bushwackers. And he’s a sideman for various other Detroit area musical aggregations. In addition to his performing career, he leads songwriting and guitar workshops and hosts MAMA’s Coffeehouse, a monthly acoustic music concert series in suburban Detroit.